2022 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, part of the W213 generation introduced in 2017, showcased a departure from the sharper, boxier angles of its predecessor to adopt the fluid, curvier forms seen in the 2014 S-Class and 2015 C-Class. This design theme, termed "sensual purity" by Mercedes chief designer Gorden Wagener, aimed to blend elegance with a touch of edginess, particularly evident in the squinted headlights and inverted trapezoid grille. The E-Class maintained its handsome and elegant appeal across its various body styles, including sedan, wagon, coupe, and convertible. However, the standing hood ornament, a classic Mercedes feature, was no longer available, replaced by a more popular but arguably gaudy Sport style with a large star emblem in the grille.

Inside, the E-Class was a showcase of decadent materials and exuberant style, even in its base trims. Rich woods, aluminum, and carbon fiber adorned the cabin, complemented by intricate details like metal speaker grilles, elaborate stitching, and incredible ambient lighting. The dashboard featured two 12-inch screens with crisp detail and brilliant color, and the instrument panel transitioned to a standard digital display for 2021. The new steering wheels, with touch-sensitive controls and multiple screens, added to the lavish and modern feel of the interior, making the E-Class's cabin unmatched by any car at its price point.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 continued to be offered in both four-door sedan and five-door hatchback body styles, with a range of models including the affordable Mazda3 2.0, the popular Mazda3 2.5 S, and the speedy Mazda3 2.5 Turbo. The 2.5 S lineup provided the most variety, offering five trim levels and a choice between front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD). The top-of-the-line 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus trim, equipped with extra-cost Polymetal Gray Metallic paint, carried a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $35,810.

The Mazda3's appearance, with its deeply sculpted flanks and hatchback design, was not universally appealing, but it possessed a certain artistry. The 2.5 Turbo model emphasized stealth, avoiding flashy spoilers and body kits in favor of a mature, serious look. Inside, the Mazda3 featured refined materials and sophisticated design, with polished metallic finishes creating an upscale, almost elegant environment. The interior was driver-focused, with excellent thigh and side bolster support, densely padded armrests, and thoughtful padding in areas where drivers might brace their legs. However, the back seat was less accommodating, especially for taller passengers, and lacked rear air conditioning vents and USB ports.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class saw a significant change with the switch from conventional V6 engines to electrified inline-six powertrains for the highest-volume models. The E450 became a hybrid, utilizing a 48-volt electrical system to supplement the common 12-volt system. This setup included a small lithium-ion battery powering an electric starter-generator, providing extra power and torque for brief periods and allowing the engine to shut off more frequently to save fuel and reduce emissions. The new 3.0-liter inline-six engine, with a single turbo, produced 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, with additional overboost from the battery.

The AMG E53 model added a second turbo, technically a supercharger powered by the 48-volt battery, resulting in 429 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque. The AMG E63 S, with a hand-built 4.0-liter V8 engine, delivered a staggering 603 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque, making it a true performance machine. Despite the impressive power, the E-Class maintained its poise and stability, with variable-rate air suspension and rear-biased all-wheel drive (AWD) providing a comfortable yet sporty driving experience. Fuel economy varied across models, with the E450 4Matic and E350 4Matic sedans achieving 26 mpg combined, while the AMG models had lower ratings.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 offered a range of engine options, starting with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine in the 2.0 sedan, producing 155 horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque. This model prioritized fuel economy, achieving 31 mpg in combined driving. The 2.5 S model, with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine generating 186 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque, was the most popular choice. It offered a six-speed automatic transmission and the option of AWD, with fuel economy ratings between 27 mpg and 30 mpg in combined driving.

The Mazda3 2.5 Turbo featured a turbocharged version of the 2.5-liter engine, with power output varying based on the type of fuel used. With 87-octane gas, it produced 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, while 93-octane fuel increased output to 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft. The turbocharged model achieved 26 mpg (hatchback) or 27 mpg (sedan) in combined driving. Despite its lower fuel economy, the Mazda3 2.5 Turbo was a joy to drive, with smooth power delivery, nimble handling, and excellent balance. However, the brakes showed signs of fade during aggressive driving, indicating a need for an upgrade.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured a redesigned infotainment system with a touchscreen interface, making everyday tasks easier and faster. The touchpads on the steering wheel were reshaped, and shortcut buttons for navigation, stereo, and other settings remained. The cabin was spacious for four adults, with ample headroom and legroom, supportive cushions, and knee cutouts on the seatbacks. However, some features like rear USB ports, separate climate zones, and heated rear seats were missing in the E53 model, despite its high price.

The E-Class offered various body styles, with the coupe providing usable rear seats and the wagon featuring a stowable rear-facing jump seat and significant cargo space (35 cubic feet or 64 with all seats folded). The sedan had 13 cubic feet of trunk space, while the two-door models had 10 cubic feet or less with the roof down. The E450 All-Terrain wagon, new for 2021, added ground clearance and plastic body cladding for a more rugged look.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3, sitting low to the ground, was challenging to enter and exit, with small door openings adding to the difficulty. However, once inside, the front seats provided a snug but comfortable fit, with excellent thigh and side bolster support. The interior was driver-focused, with user-friendly controls and densely padded armrests. The back seat, however, was less accommodating, especially for taller passengers, and lacked rear air conditioning vents and USB ports.

Storage space in the Mazda3 was adequate, with large door panel bins, a big glove compartment, and a sizable center console bin. The hatchback offered 20.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 47.1 cubic feet with the back seat folded down. However, the shape and size of the cargo area limited its practicality for larger items.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured the MBUX infotainment system, with a touchscreen interface, natural voice processing, and online searches. The system included features like live feed overlays from the front camera, massaging seats, and seat kinetics to prevent discomfort during long drives. However, it did not support over-the-air updates, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were not wireless. Optional driving assists included lane-changing assistance, curve speed adjustment, and limited autonomous driving capabilities.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 used the Mazda Connect infotainment system, with an 8.8-inch static display and controls on the center console. Mazda avoided touchscreens, believing them to be distracting, but the system's lack of a physical tuning function and voice recognition issues were drawbacks. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration helped mitigate some of these issues. Mazda Connected Services provided remote access to vehicle functions, and an eight-speaker audio system was standard, with a 12-speaker Bose system available on higher trims.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was one of the safest cars on sale, with a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking, a driver-attention monitor, and blind-spot monitoring, with additional driver-assist features available as options.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 also excelled in safety, with standard features like adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive front headlights, Traffic Jam Assist, reverse automatic braking, and a surround-view camera system. The Mazda3 received five-star ratings from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS.